(no subject)

[andrewducker]

It is sound social policy, and simple justice, that the party who benefits from free trade -- the nation as a whole -- should be taxed to ameliorate the discomforts of those who pay the short-term price of progress.

says the quote here.  And I have to agree.  I'm a firm believer in markets when it comes to non-essentials (not when it comes to things like utilities and natural monopolies, however).  In markets, some businessess will fail to work out and go bankrupt.  This is a _good_ thing, because people producing unwanted goods shouldn't be successful.  But these people shouldn't be left to starve either - they should be supported and helped until they are capable of standing on their own two feet again.  I believe in safety nets and looking after those that can't help themselves.

Comments

[dragonscholar.livejournal.com]

Nicely said.

To quote a friend (whom you remind me of at times): "Capitalism is great economic policy but lousy moral policy."

Re:

[andrewducker]

Well, exactly. Although it springs from a single moral choice:
"People have the right to own things."

If you want a moral dimension to your world that's more than that, then you have to have something different to simple capitalism.